Britain at War – Issue 178 – February 2022
English | 110 pages | pdf | 27.14 MB
Welcome to your Britain at War magazine February issue! First, I’d like to draw your atention to IWM Duxford. In a stunning spectacular, a dozen Spitfi res – thought to be the largest gathering of the type in a museum exhibition this century – have been assembled for display. It is simply magnificent, turn to page 10 for more.
It is nice to celebrate and commemorate such an occasion, but 80 years ago things were much more fraught. A string of humiliating disasters weakened Britain’s position, perhaps deadening the ecstasy that many directing Britain’s war likely quietly felt following the entry of the United States into the conflict.
at ere was, however, some tonic. In our lead story, Graham Goodlad examines the hugely successful Operation Biting – the daring raid conducted primarily by ‘C’ Company of the 2nd Parachute Ba alion against a German radar (which Britain’s scientifi c boffi ns simply had to get their hands on) in northern France. We also examine how the British military of today – and of the near future – would set about achieving the same objective or destroy such a site.
Meanwhile, Andrew at omas presents an incredible tale of a small group of Australian rookie P-40 pilots – backed up by a handful of experienced airmen – that, for a while, provided the
sole fighter defence over New Guinea. Outnumbered in the air, and with the Japanese fighting hard in the jungles below, ‘Jackson’s Few’ helped stave off defeat in a lengthy action that was effectively in Australia’s backyard.
We also speak to a young man on a mission. Jay Hawkins has been visiting veterans to collect their signatures on a Lee Enfieldrifl e, which he hopes to donate to the IWM once filled. Turn to
page 68 to discover the stories of some of the veterans he has met.
And, from one young man with a fi rearm to another – we profile the Owen Machine Carbine and its youthful inventor. Evelyn Owen had been tinkering with guns from an early age and, incredibly, arguably the best submachine gun of the war was first designed in his shed.
Due to production issues, Craig Moore’s anticipated interview with a veteran Cold steamer will now run in the March edition.
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